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Matrilineality and Inheritance Among the Fantse of Ghana

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Mothers' Wealth: Matrilineality and Inheritance Among the Fantse of Ghana A dissertation presented to the faculty of The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Alex J. Wilson June 2011 © 2011 Alex J. Wilson. All Rights Reserved. 2 This dissertation titled Mothers' Wealth: Matrilineality and Inheritance Among the Fantse of Ghana by ALEX J. WILSON has been approved for the Department of Educational Studies and The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services by Francis E. Godwyll Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Renée A. Middleton Dean, The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services 3 Abstract WILSON, ALEX. J., Ph.D., June 2011, Individual Interdisciplinary Studies Mothers' Wealth: Matrilineality and Inheritance among the Fantse of Ghana Director of Dissertation: Francis E. Godwyll Ghanaians are still looking forward to enacting a law on inheritance and succession, though many attempts have been made since 1884. Policy-makers and academics who try to address the problem are divided, with many of them showing their personal biases. For example, Appiah (1992) questioned the rationale behind the Akan customary practice that deprives sons and daughters of a deceased the right to enjoy a fair share of their fathers‘ estate. Nzegwu (2001) reacted that Appiah (1992) ignored the matrilineal implication of the Asante and underwrote a neocolonial Africanist career by privileging a particular conception of family. Awusabo-Asare (1990) contended that the Intestate Succession Law of Ghana had created problems for people in matrilineal societies because it contravened some principles about the matrilineal system of inheritance. In this dissertation, I adopted functionalism and postcolonialism as theoretical frameworks and used qualitative research design, specifically, critical ethnography to examine the problems associated with inheritance systems of the matrilineal Fantse- speaking Akan. I selected five settlements in the Central Region of Ghana for observation, and conducted in-depth interview with 32 participants made up of five chiefs, two queen mothers, 10 clan heads, 10 widows and five widowers. The study sought answers for the following research questions: - What is the nature of the social organizations of the Fantse? - What are the rights and obligations that these social institutions confer on their members? - What are the changes that have taken place in the family systems of the Fantse? 4 - What is the influence of national laws on the Fantse family systems and their customary practices? I concluded that among the Fantse, the social systems are woven around the lineage and clan with rights and responsibilities molded in dual roles to the conjugal and composite families and the clan or lineage. It also emerged that changes have occurred in family in the areas of childhood construction, marriage, divorce and funeral celebrations. Finally, the inheritance was based more on customary practices that the national law. I suggested that a national conference should be organized on inheritance just as has been done for review of the constitution. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Francis E. Godwyll Assistant Professor of Educational Studies 5 Dedication Through all the changing scenes of life In trouble and in joy The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ O magnify the Lord with me With me exalt His name When in distress, to Him I called He to my rescue came (Stanzas 1 & 3 of Catholic Hymnal of Ghana, 374) The Lord has done great things unto me. His name be praised forever. To Him be the glory, for He has done great things unto me. I dedicate this dissertation to my children Aba Yaaba, Aba Kweiba, Kwesi Kurentsir, and Ebow Appinn 6 Acknowledgments To God be the Glory, great things He has done. This dissertation has been possible through the immense support of many people. My gratitude goes to my advisor Dr. Francis Godwyll, of the Department of Educational Studies, Ohio University (OU), Athens, OH, USA; for his guidance throughout my stay in Ohio University and this journey of writing a dissertation. I must admit that he has not only been an advisor but also a mentor, brother, and family friend. I am also grateful to members of my dissertation committee – Dr. Steve Howard, Director of the African Studies Program (OU), Dr. Ron Stephens, Chair of African American Studies Department (OU), and Dr. Jerry Johnson, Department of Educational Studies (OU) for their guidance and criticisms that have contributed immensely to this dissertation. I am also grateful to Dr. Ghirmai Negash of the English Department (OU), Dr. Diane Ciekawy of the Sociology and Anthropology Department (OU), and all my professors in OU for their contributions to my education. My unreserved thanks also go my sponsors, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana, the African Studies Program (OU), The Patton College of Education and Human Service (OU). I am also indebted to the Alden Library (OU) staff, especially Mrs. Araba Dawson-Andoh and Mr. Paul Campbell, Professor Owusu-Ansah of UCC, Nana Owusu- Kwarteng of University of Education, Winneba ,Ghana; Mrs. Estella Appiah of the Attorney General‘s Department, Ghana, all my research participants, and all those who have supported me at various times. 7 My gratitude also goes to members of my family, especially my parents Peter Kwesi Wilson (deceased) and Ekua Kurentsiwa Wilson, who though did not have any formal education, realized the need to educate all their children in the Fantse value systems and to the highest levels of formal education that each could aspire to. To Danny Wilson, my guardian, who sponsored my education in high school and counseled me throughout my school days and beyond, and all my siblings, I say thank you. Finally, I thank my dear wife, Nana Aba Egyimah Wilson, and my children, Yaaba, Kweiba, Kwesi Kurentsir, and Ebow Appinn for enduring my absence from the house most of the time as I worked on this dissertation. I will not forget all your prayers, encouragement and support that you have provided throughout my study period. 8 Table of Contents Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 3 Dedication ........................................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables .................................................................................................................... 12 List of Figures ................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................................ 14 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 18 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 19 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 20 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................. 20 Organization of Work ................................................................................................... 22 Chapter Two: Review of Relevant Literature ................................................................... 24 The Cultural Premise .................................................................................................... 25 Akan Philosophy of Personhood, and Family Cohesion and Inheritance ..................... 27 Social Organization Among the Fantse. ....................................................................... 35 The Changing Family ................................................................................................... 42 Historical Development of Inheritance Laws ............................................................... 45 The Impact of Traditional Cultural Values and Legal Pluralism on the Society .......... 50 International Laws and the Family in Ghana ................................................................ 57 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 58 Chapter Three: Theoretical Framework ............................................................................ 60 Functionalism ................................................................................................................ 63 Durkheim and Functionalism ........................................................................................ 64 Durkheim and the Family ............................................................................................. 67 Durkheim and Law ....................................................................................................... 73 Durkheim and the Concept of Personhood ................................................................... 75 Postcolonialsm .............................................................................................................
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